Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-10-07

=
ings. We had grcpcd our way up this
lane for what seemed to mo avery long
time, when the boy stopped and
whistled.
"W hat are You doing that for?' said
|, sharply. But the boy, whn, by max
| inc but few steps forward. WIS lost to
my sight in the fog, whistlcd again. |
stood for 4 moment trembling with
terror. Then the boy exclaimed,
| angriIy:
"Why. he amt hcrew
ale. Who?' | cried, in alarm; and
at that moment heard n cracking of
branches. and saw dimly through the
fog. a few yards in front of me, the
figure of man crashing through the
hedge, and lcaping down from the
field into the road.
Smothcrlng 4 cry, L turned, and ran.
l knew not whittier. 1t was Tom
Parkes or Gordon, who had deceived
me out here to punish me for nv dis
coverics which Sarah must have told
them about.
l heard the boy say "Thank ye,"
and then the footsteps of the man COM
ing nearer to me. He passed me; |
could see the vague form as it went by
But in my JOY at the sight l drew n
sharp breath; he turned back, CROPPED
for me, found and raised me to my feet,
all without word. l closed my eyes
and shuddered. For the first moment
felt too exhausted by the excitement
OF those awful minutes to struggle
much. could only feebly try to push
him off. crying, brokenly:
"Don't-don't hurt me!'
"Hurt you, my own darling! Look
up at me. Heaven help me, have
nearly frightened you to deathr'
Hooked up with n cry, and flung my
arms round his neck. 1t was Laur-
ence, his face so haggard and so dirty
as to be scarcely recognizable; but he
told me, as he kissed me again and
again. that must not mind that, for
he had travelled night and day without
a moments rest since he got my letter
on the morning of the previous day.
"And, thank Heaven. am in time,
in time! Just few hours more, and
i should have lost your
''Lost me, Laurence? Oh, do tell
me what you meant" Icried, pitcously.
"Oh, Violet, are you still SO inno-
cent as to think that that man would
have brought you to me?'
''Why not?" asked l, in a whisper.
because he loves you HIMSELF said
he, between his tceth-''if the feeling
even you inspire in such a man can be
called love. Your innocence would
not have protected you much longer
Oh, was fool, blind fool, ever to
leave you, for father mother-any-
body in the world! But did not know
quite all until your own sweet naive
letter opened my stupid eyes,
ooh, Laurence, Laurence, what
dreadful things are you saying?" Icried,
shaking with fear, even in his arms
''Never mind, my own darling; YOU
are safe now" said he, very gently.
"But, Laurence, my mother is going
with us. Didn't l tell you that? had
letter from her"
(Which she never wrote. On my way
back to London, l telegraphed to your
mother to meet me at the Charing
Cross station, and there she told me
she had never seen Mr.. Rayner and
never heard word of the journey to
Monaco"
| This blow was too much for me;
tainted in his arms. When recovered,
l found that he had carried me some
distance; and rs soon rs l began to
sigh, he put me down and gave me
some brandy and water out of his flask.
AS soon as l was able we walked slowly
down the lane to the high road.
"But what shall do, Laurence?'
| 0cE0d hI1v, rrIu SSGhnn knn f.
Rayner you have come back and don't
want me to leave Englandp"
'.Not for the world, my darling"
said he, quickly. Nobody in Geld
ham-not even at the Hall-knows
have come back. The boy sent for
you does not know me-"
"But what is all this mystery about,
Laurence? Why don't you 90 to the
Hall, and sec your father?"
"As. that is . secret! Yon WON'T
MIND Waitlng'1ln' Tomorrow to know
that, will you, darling?"
''Oh. yes, l shall! l want to know
now" said l, coaxingly. won't you
trust me with your secret?"
He did not want to do so; but was
curious, and hurt at his refusal, and,
when he saw the tears come into my
eyes, he gave way.
He had been SO impressed BY the
postscript to my letter telling of sus.
picious lookingpersonw who was hanging
about the hall, and promising to visit il
again Wednesday night, that he had tel
graphed the Metropolitan police for 9
force of constables to lie in wait abou,
the hall that night. He was to attend tc
stationing them himself. l had also
mentioned Sarah's rawlings aboutJ Jane!
Woodfall, and one of the constable!
was a man who knew James Wood.
fall, and was certain he could identify
him. This Woodfall had been clever
forger but had been lost sigh: of fol-
four years. There was only chance
that he might be concerned in this af
fair. but it was worth taking.
$50 now, my darling" Laurence
added, '.you know every thing, and yor
must keep my secrets, every one, like
grim death. As for your journey
don't be alarmed. l shall be in thu
same train with you; and your mother
will really meet you at Liverpool street
station. for have told her to do So"
Laurence insisted on seeing me home
| VIZ h"N SiOPV oAOu, tuC MY u IOdu uutI
we were close to the cottage nearest t.
the Alders, when we heard the sound!
of hoofs and wheels, and mems voice.
halloing through the fog. Laurence
opened the gate of the cottage garden
and led me inside till they should hav,
passed.
1t was the dog-cart, with Mr.. Raynel
on foot, leading the horse, and May
} nard still in it.
LUCKY you arc going to stay tn,
nightr' Mr.. Rayner was saying. q
wouldn't undertake to find my way t.
my own gate tonight"
CHAPTER XVIII.
. We followed the dog-cart at SAT,
distance, which was not very far off il
: the fog, until it stopped at the stabl,
gate. Then we slipped past quite un
seen on the other side of the road, while
Mr.: Rayner was busy opening the gate
and at the front gate Laurence left me
: and l CROPPED my way down the driv,
} as fast as l could, and got in some min
} utes before Mr.. Rayner and his com
panion. And as l could rely upon thu
, silence of Mrs. Rayner and the cook,
said nothing to anybody else about my
excursion.
J After dinner Mr.. Rayner asked thu